Twelve members turned up on a fine morning at Witley Common. Starting at the new car parking area outside the NT Reserve entrance, we walked around the Common anti-clockwise, listening to the Spring migrants. There were lots of chiffchaffs and willow warblers, but no whitethroats or tree pipits. We found a single redstart in the fenced off grassy area and a stonechat. Two yellowhammers were also seen plus linnets, treecreepers, nuthatches and a single blackcap heard. Green and great spotted woodpeckers announced themselves and eventually buzzards and a sparrowhawk took to the sky. Finally, as we returned to the cars, two stock doves were spotted on the ground under some trees.

15 of us assembled in the MoD car park on a rather dull morning. First we walked up to the top of the rise to look at the large film set being built on the Army Drop Zone area, rumoured to be the latest James Bond. Then we walked down through Lion’s Gate, trying to avoid the film crew vehicles, and inspected the World War II remains of the Atlantic Wall, built to practice D-Day. On the way we saw goldcrests, a large flock of redwings, a small crossbill flock and many siskins and redpolls feeding in the birch and pine trees. The route then took us alongside the golf course and around Yagdon Hill. Woodlarks were disturbed from the path, plus pipits, reed buntings and mistle thrushes, and a stonechat watched. Several splendid male crossbills were also seen perched along the way. But the best sighting was the long-staying great grey shrike, showing well over near the golf club house. A number of buzzards were seen soaring in the distance and finally overhead.

The weather was dull but so much milder than the previous week, when the scheduled walk had been deferred. We started off with a slight problem as the gate to the car park was still locked at 9.30 (and the toilets), but this was soon sorted. On approaching the Pond we could see a large number of ducks spread across it. At first glance they appeared to be mostly tufted ducks, but one was a male scaup or possibly a hybrid look-alike. However, we no sooner started to get the group looking through a telescope, when several motor boats from the Sailing Club started zooming about, rapidly clearing off almost every duck in sight. My guess is that there were pochards, teals and shovelers as well. Feeling frustrated we walked on around the edge of the Pond, finding mainly tits and the odd nuthatch and treecreeper in the trees. When we reached the far side near the Sailing Club the rapid staccato drumming of a lesser spotted woodpecker could be heard in a stand of alders. Many eyes searched and a bird was spotted on a tree, but it took flight being chased by its partner. Some of the group saw them flying briefly, if not well enough for all to identify. Looking across the Pond from near the Hotel, several people saw a kingfisher take off along the water’s edge, or were there two? Then we walked down the path by the Outlet Stream at the western end of Great Pond. There were several goldcrests singing close enough for all to hear, but no sign of redwings or siskins which have been a feature for the past few weeks. Further down the path a buzzard flew over and a great spotted woodpecker demonstrated its different drumming technique.

There were 10 people beside Daphne and me. It was a very cold start for the group, with ice on the Moat Pond and mist over the Common. Almost immediately crossbills were heard and a bright red male appeared on the top of a pine tree. Others were feeding nearby but hidden by the foliage. We walked across the boards to South Bog, where a friendly birder pointed out the great grey shrike perched on a tall dead tree, giving everyone a good view. Next we went around to Parish Field, where goldcrests and great spotted woodpeckers were seen well. Then it was across the open heath, past several perching stonechats, to the Tumulus. Further crossbills were heard and a small flock of meadow pipits flew up. On the walk back to the car park, a distant buzzard was spotted but not much else. It was a lot warmer by then.